Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET) Field Test Training Presented by Joe...

Automated Volume Scan Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination Evaluation and Termination

(AVSET)(AVSET)

Automated Volume Scan Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination Evaluation and Termination

(AVSET)(AVSET)

Field Test TrainingField Test TrainingPresented byPresented by

Joe Chrisman (ROC) and Joe Chrisman (ROC) and Jami Boettcher (WDTB) Jami Boettcher (WDTB)

BackgroundBackgroundBackgroundBackground

• WSR-88D VCPs automatically WSR-88D VCPs automatically scan predefined elevation anglesscan predefined elevation angles

• All VCP elevations scanned All VCP elevations scanned regardless of areal coverage regardless of areal coverage or significance of return or significance of return

• VCP update time fixedVCP update time fixed– All products updated at the fixed VCP All products updated at the fixed VCP

completion time interval completion time interval

Why AVSET?Why AVSET?

• Faster VCP updates long desiredFaster VCP updates long desired– Rotate the antenna faster?Rotate the antenna faster?

– More hardware stress and lowers base data quality More hardware stress and lowers base data quality

– Sample fewer elevations?Sample fewer elevations?– Can’t predefine a VCP for every scenario Can’t predefine a VCP for every scenario

• Best option is Automated Volume Scan Best option is Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET)Evaluation and Termination (AVSET)

AVSET in a NutshellAVSET in a Nutshell

• AVSET makes each volume scan “dynamic”AVSET makes each volume scan “dynamic”– Number of angles scanned is dependent on the Number of angles scanned is dependent on the

sampled meteorological returnsampled meteorological return

• Sampling above the weather?Sampling above the weather?– Then stop the current volume scan and start a Then stop the current volume scan and start a

new one!new one!

• AVSET runs at RDAAVSET runs at RDA

How AVSET WorksHow AVSET Works

• Terminates volume scan once returns fall Terminates volume scan once returns fall below thresholds of dBZ and areal coveragebelow thresholds of dBZ and areal coverage– Shortens time between product updates when Shortens time between product updates when

no significant data exists on higher elevation tiltsno significant data exists on higher elevation tilts– Antenna rotation rates and base data quality Antenna rotation rates and base data quality do do

not changenot change!!

• Details forthcoming…Details forthcoming…


• Only analyzes data above 5º– VCP 31 and 32 not impacted by AVSET

• To terminate, each condition must be met:1.1.≥≥18 dBZ over < 80 km²18 dBZ over < 80 km²2.2.≥ ≥ 30 dBZ over <30 dBZ over < 30 km²30 km²3.3.areal coverage ≥18 dBZ has areal coverage ≥18 dBZ has not increased by 12 increased by 12

km² or more since the last volume scankm² or more since the last volume scan

• If all three conditions are met…If all three conditions are met…


• All three conditions met? Yes!!All three conditions met? Yes!!– AVSET terminates the volume scan AVSET terminates the volume scan after

completion of the completion of the nextnext higher elevation higher elevation– VCP 212 Example: VCP 212 Example:

Below thresholds at Below thresholds at 5.1°? Will terminate 5.1°? Will terminate after 6.4°after 6.4°

• AVSET’s thresholds are defaults for nowAVSET’s thresholds are defaults for now

AVSET and VCP 11 Example AVSET and VCP 11 Example

• Lowest 4 elevations: 0.5°, 1.5°, 2.4°, and Lowest 4 elevations: 0.5°, 1.5°, 2.4°, and 3.4°3.4°– AVSET does no analysis here!AVSET does no analysis here!


• Next 4 elevations: 4.3°, 5.3°, 6.2°, and 7.5°Next 4 elevations: 4.3°, 5.3°, 6.2°, and 7.5°– AVSET analyzes 5.3°, 6.2°, and 7.5° andAVSET analyzes 5.3°, 6.2°, and 7.5° and– Returns are above thresholds Returns are above thresholds


• Next 3 elevations: 8.7°, 10.0°, and 12.0°Next 3 elevations: 8.7°, 10.0°, and 12.0°– Returns fall below AVSET thresholds on 10.0° Returns fall below AVSET thresholds on 10.0°

– 12.0° is sampled as the last elevation12.0° is sampled as the last elevation• Composite Reflectivity entire coverageComposite Reflectivity entire coverage

AVSET ProcessingAVSET ProcessingA Closer LookA Closer Look

AVSET ProcessingAVSET ProcessingA Closer LookA Closer Look

Returns below AVSET Thresholds

Last Elevation Processed

Elevation we did not scan thanks to AVSET

AVSET thresholds expected to be sufficiently sensitive…

10°

12°

14°

How Low Can We Go? How Low Can We Go?

• VCP 11 full volume scan time 4 min, 48 secVCP 11 full volume scan time 4 min, 48 sec– AVSET shortest updateAVSET shortest update

3 min, 12 sec 3 min, 12 sec


3 min, 12 sec3 min, 12 sec

How Low Can We Go? How Low Can We Go?



• VCP 21 full volume scan 5 min, 48 secVCP 21 full volume scan 5 min, 48 sec– AVSET shortest updateAVSET shortest update


AVSET and Range to WeatherAVSET and Range to Weather

• AVSET with storms at close rangeAVSET with storms at close range– Entire VCP usedEntire VCP used

• AVSET with storms at far rangeAVSET with storms at far range– Only relevant Only relevant

elevations elevations above 5° usedabove 5° used

Areas of ConcernrnAreas of Concernrn

1.Cone of Silence

2.Impacts on user systems– Other than bandwidth

3.Level II Bandwidth Impacts– Shortened volume scan times – More frequent product updates

Cone of SilenceCone of Silence

• Does AVSET increase the risk of missing Does AVSET increase the risk of missing elevated convection that develops in the elevated convection that develops in the cone of silence?cone of silence?

• VCP 31 or 32 and 1st echo of the day– No AVSET impact in Clear Air Mode


• Worst case so far– Storms at long range; VCP 21; AVSET on; VCP

terminates above 6.0°– New elevated cell very near RDA; AVSET not

sampling high, but much more often!

• Contributor?– Avoid VCP 21 and

convection! Gapsaloft!


• AVSET thresholds very sensitiveAVSET thresholds very sensitive– Threshold Threshold not metnot met– Anything relevant at higher Anything relevant at higher

elevations elevations very unlikelyvery unlikely

• Rapidly developing convection Rapidly developing convection very close to the radar? very close to the radar? – AVSET AVSET alsoalso looks for looks for increaseincrease in areal in areal

coverage between scanscoverage between scans


• If ≥18 dBZ increased ≥12 kmIf ≥18 dBZ increased ≥12 km22 at that at that elevation since last volume scanelevation since last volume scan– AVSET applies AVSET applies even more sensitive even more sensitive thresholds thresholds

to remaining elevationsto remaining elevations– ≥≥18 dBZ over < 30 km18 dBZ over < 30 km22 or ≥30 dBZ over <10 km or ≥30 dBZ over <10 km22

– If below these new thresholds, volume scan If below these new thresholds, volume scan terminates after next higher elevationterminates after next higher elevation

• AVSET results in more frequent sampling AVSET results in more frequent sampling to find developing elevated convection to find developing elevated convection

• KDMXKDMX

– Storm Storm cluster cluster northeastnortheast

– Isolated Isolated storm storm south south

– One hour One hour intervalsintervals

KDMX May 25, 2008 Parkersburg TornadoVCP 212 and 12 Processed With and Without AVSET

100

125

150

175

200

225

250

275

300

21:0

0:50

21:0

9:54

21:1

8:57

21:2

7:59

21:3

7:02

21:4

6:04

21:5

5:08

22:0

4:10

22:1

3:11

22:2

2:15

22:3

1:17

22:4

0:20

22:4

8:40

22:5

6:59

23:0

5:18

23:1

3:37

23:2

1:56

23:3

0:15

23:3

8:34

23:4

6:53

23:5

5:12

Time

Vo

lum

e S

can

Du

rati

on

in S

eco

nd

s

Standrard VCP Duration AVSET VCP Duration

VCP 212

AVSET VCP 12

VCP 12

AVSET VCP 212

TParkersburg-Dunkerton EF5 Tornado

9 Tornado Warnings Issued During Period

AVSET would have provided six additional volume scans

TOsceola EF0-EF1 Tornado

AVSET Volume Scan Average = 3.7 mins

Impacts on User SystemsImpacts on User SystemsImpacts on User SystemsImpacts on User Systems

• AVSET exercised at ROC since Spring AVSET exercised at ROC since Spring 20092009

• AWIPS – No problems identified AWIPS – No problems identified

• OPUP – No problems identified OPUP – No problems identified

• FAA User Systems – No problems FAA User Systems – No problems identified identified

Bandwidth Impact AnalysisBandwidth Impact AnalysisBandwidth Impact AnalysisBandwidth Impact Analysis

• Faster VCP updates => more bandwidth Faster VCP updates => more bandwidth needed to send Level II data needed to send Level II data – Single site communications load worst case Single site communications load worst case

increase of 25-30%increase of 25-30%– Cumulative network load cannot be estimated using Cumulative network load cannot be estimated using

worst case single site figures worst case single site figures

National Radar Mosaic from Aug 7, 2008 21:48Z

Analysis Method Analysis Method Analysis Method Analysis Method

• 29 of 34 radars in area included in analysis29 of 34 radars in area included in analysis– Level II data unavailable for five radarsLevel II data unavailable for five radars

• Level II data replayed for 2100Z-2259Z on Level II data replayed for 2100Z-2259Z on RPG with AVSETRPG with AVSET

• No Clear Air VCP data usedNo Clear Air VCP data used

Radar Used In Analysis

Level II Not Available

Level II Comparisons by Radar Site

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

110.0

120.0

130.0

140.0

150.0

160.0

170.0

180.0

KINX

KSRX

KSGF

KSHVKLZ

K

KDGX

KNQA

KLCH

KLIX

KGWX

KPAH

KMOB

KBMX

KHTX

KOHX

KEVX

KFFC

KJKL

KMRX

KJGX

KTLH

KFCX

KGSP

KCAE

KCLXKJA

X

KRAXKLT

X

KMHX

Regional Sites

Le

ve

l II i

n k

bp

s

AVSET Level II Average Standard Level II Average

Bandwidth Impact Analysis Bandwidth Impact Analysis Conclusion Conclusion

Bandwidth Impact Analysis Bandwidth Impact Analysis Conclusion Conclusion

• Out of 29 sites…Out of 29 sites…– 1 had increase of > 30%1 had increase of > 30%– 4 had increase of 20 - 30 %4 had increase of 20 - 30 %– 6 had increase of 10 – 20 %6 had increase of 10 – 20 %– 8 had increase of 1 - 10%8 had increase of 1 - 10%– 10 had 0 or < 1% increase10 had 0 or < 1% increase

• Average Level II bandwidth increase over Average Level II bandwidth increase over the region due to AVSET < 10 %the region due to AVSET < 10 %

Field Test Specifics..Field Test Specifics..Field Test Specifics..Field Test Specifics..

• Test Objectives Test Objectives – Why are we doing this test?Why are we doing this test?

• User Control User Control

• Schedule and Participating SitesSchedule and Participating Sites

• Reporting resultsReporting results

Field Test Objectives Field Test Objectives Field Test Objectives Field Test Objectives

1. Verify that AVSET supports forecast and warning operations

2. Verify that AVSET does not adversely affect the operation of NEXRAD during active weather periods

3. Verify AVSET-produced volume scans with varying completion durations do not adversely impact

a. Forecast and warning operations b. User data processing and display systems

User ControlUser ControlUser ControlUser Control

• AVSET part of RPG Build 12.0 software; AVSET part of RPG Build 12.0 software; however… however… – Only AVSET Field Test sites (you!) get the “turn Only AVSET Field Test sites (you!) get the “turn

it on” softwareit on” software– Will also receive the “Test Log” Will also receive the “Test Log”

• AVSET Enable/Disable AVSET Enable/Disable toggle at RPG HCItoggle at RPG HCI

User Control:User Control:AVSET Rules of EngagementAVSET Rules of Engagement


• AVSET default state is “Disabled”AVSET default state is “Disabled”– Automatically disabled with any switch to Clear Automatically disabled with any switch to Clear

Air Mode (VCP 31 or 32) Air Mode (VCP 31 or 32)

• AVSET must be enabled manuallyAVSET must be enabled manually– When any Precipitation Mode VCP is active, When any Precipitation Mode VCP is active,

AVSET can be activatedAVSET can be activated– Once selected, AVSET status PENDING until start of Once selected, AVSET status PENDING until start of

next volume scannext volume scan



• During Field Test period, use AVSET as During Field Test period, use AVSET as often as possible often as possible

• If for any reason you become uncomfortable with If for any reason you become uncomfortable with AVSET, disable itAVSET, disable it– Please record on the Test Log reason(s) for not Please record on the Test Log reason(s) for not

using AVSET for the particular eventusing AVSET for the particular event



• Send FTM to all users each time AVSET Send FTM to all users each time AVSET manually enabled or disabledmanually enabled or disabled– Console Message windowConsole Message window

from RPG Control/Statusfrom RPG Control/Status



• Also…Also…– Please record date/time when AVSET is enabled Please record date/time when AVSET is enabled

or disabled in the Test Logor disabled in the Test Log

AVSET Field Test:AVSET Field Test:Your UsersYour Users

AVSET Field Test:AVSET Field Test:Your UsersYour Users

• For the DoD and FAA users…For the DoD and FAA users…– If you feel AVSET is compromising If you feel AVSET is compromising

your systems or your ability to perform your systems or your ability to perform your mission…your mission…

– First contact the WSR-88D HotlineFirst contact the WSR-88D Hotline– 1-800-643-33631-800-643-3363

• Hotline will verify the problem and will issue Hotline will verify the problem and will issue request to disable AVSET request to disable AVSET

• Please record request & reason in Test LogPlease record request & reason in Test Log

Field TestField TestParticipantsParticipantsField TestField Test

ParticipantsParticipants

• NWS NWS – Southern Region: Southern Region:

– Norman, OK (KTLX) and Melbourne, FL (KMLB)Norman, OK (KTLX) and Melbourne, FL (KMLB)– Central Region: Central Region:

– Goodland, KS (KGLD), Indianapolis, IN (KIND), Pueblo, Goodland, KS (KGLD), Indianapolis, IN (KIND), Pueblo, CO (KPUX), and St. Louis, MO (KLSX)CO (KPUX), and St. Louis, MO (KLSX)

– Eastern Region: Eastern Region: – Sterling, VA (KLWX) and State College, PA (KCCX)Sterling, VA (KLWX) and State College, PA (KCCX)

– Western Region:Western Region: – Glasgow, MT (KGGW) and Tucson, AZ (KEMX)Glasgow, MT (KGGW) and Tucson, AZ (KEMX)

Field TestField TestParticipantsParticipantsField TestField Test

ParticipantsParticipants• USAF AFWAUSAF AFWA

– 25th OWS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 25th OWS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ – Associated to KEMX, KPUX, Associated to KEMX, KPUX,

and KGGWand KGGW

– 15th OWS, Scott AFB, IL 15th OWS, Scott AFB, IL – Associated to KLWX, KCCX, KLSX, and KINDAssociated to KLWX, KCCX, KLSX, and KIND

– 26th OWS, Barksdale AFB, LA 26th OWS, Barksdale AFB, LA – Associated to KTLX, KLSX, and KMLBAssociated to KTLX, KLSX, and KMLB

• FAA FAA – Indianapolis ARTCC, Indianapolis, IN Indianapolis ARTCC, Indianapolis, IN

– Associated to KINDAssociated to KIND

Here’s What We Know So FarHere’s What We Know So FarHere’s What We Know So FarHere’s What We Know So Far

• AVSET can reduce volume scan duration ≤ 100 sAVSET can reduce volume scan duration ≤ 100 s• Bandwidth:Bandwidth:

– Per site Level II increase ~28%Per site Level II increase ~28%– Per connection narrowband increase ~25%Per connection narrowband increase ~25%– ““Regional” Bandwidth increases ~10%Regional” Bandwidth increases ~10%– Dual Pol bandwidth upgrade expected to support AVSET Dual Pol bandwidth upgrade expected to support AVSET

• Cone of Silence:Cone of Silence:– Enhanced logic to address rapid cell growth close to Enhanced logic to address rapid cell growth close to

radarradar– Sampling much more often during cell growth timeSampling much more often during cell growth time

• No impacts to user systems identified No impacts to user systems identified

AVSET Future PlansAVSET Future PlansAVSET Future PlansAVSET Future Plans

• Thank you for your participation!Thank you for your participation!– ReallyReally couldn’t do it without you couldn’t do it without you

• Given successful completion of AVSET Given successful completion of AVSET Field Test…Field Test…– Brief NEXRAD SREC on Field Test ResultsBrief NEXRAD SREC on Field Test Results

– Gain approval to include AVSET in Build 13 Gain approval to include AVSET in Build 13

– Submit CCR to make AVSET operational in Submit CCR to make AVSET operational in Build 13Build 13

Questions?Questions?Questions?Questions?

• Joe Chrisman (ROC Engineering)Joe Chrisman (ROC Engineering)– [email protected]– AVSET Developer and Field Test DirectorAVSET Developer and Field Test Director

– Work Phone: 405-573-3335Work Phone: 405-573-3335– Cell Phone: 405-694-5025Cell Phone: 405-694-5025

– Can address content, test procedures, logisticsCan address content, test procedures, logistics

• Jami Boettcher (WDTB)Jami Boettcher (WDTB)– [email protected]– Can address contentCan address content

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET) Field Test Training Presented by Joe...

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